Cardiovascular risk factors and homocysteine in epilepsy

SummaryEpidemiological studies have found the risk for heart disease and stroke are increased in persons with epilepsy. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have varying effects on serum lipids and homocysteine—an independent risk factor for coronary disease. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking) and homocysteine were investigated in a multiethnic epilepsy population. Data included demographics, clinical factors, lab assessments and supplementation patterns. Mean age was 45 years (71 males and 94 females)—75 were African American, 27 Latino and 60 Caucasian. Fifty-two percent of participants had two or more cardiovascular risk factors when compared with rates for the general population of 28%. The Framingham risk score (FRS) assessment was also used to compare risk levels. Twenty-nine percent of men and 1% of women had a FRS indicating >5% level of risk, only 7% had a FRS > 10%. Cardiovascular screening and primary preventative recommendations based on the American Heart Association and supplementation should be suggested for the adult epilepsy population when appropriate.